Behind Cradle to Cradle Design

The who and how of sustainability standards

Anyone whose green antennae are finely tuned these days is hearing more and more about "cradle to cradle." The term refers to the holy grail of sustainability: a world without waste. In cradle-to-cradle production, all the materials used to make a product can be reused over and over again, a closed loop whose results are no waste. Cradle-to-cradle products are often compared to cradle-to-grave products, the latter being objects that have an end to their life—typically in a landfill.

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Although the phrase "cradle to cradle" was coined more than 20 years ago, the term has recently been given new meaning by the Charlottesville, Virginia-based firm, MBDC. Founded by a designer and a chemist, they have developed a certification process for evaluating the cradle-to-cradle quotient of a product and have certified nearly 100 products in the past 24 months (from recycled countertops to U.S. Postal service boxes).

The MBDC Cradle to Cradle certification analyzes a product for five major attributes:
*Is made of environmentally safe and healthy materials
*Is designed for material reutilization, such as recycling or composting
*Used renewable energy in its production, and is energy-efficient when used
*Makes efficient use of water, and maximizes production water quality
*Is part of strategies for social responsibility

Understanding Green Certifications
With increased consumer awareness of green products, many certification labels are appearing on vast numbers of products. To better evaluate the certifications out there, keep in mind that independent third-party certification systems are the most legitimate.

Several leading certification systems currently in use are:
*Cradle to Cradle: MBDC analyzes a product for particular attributes and certifies only those products that are completely reusable—aiming ultimately for a world without waste.
*Greenguard: The Greenguard Environmental Institute evaluates products for their effect on indoor air quality, and provides an online guide to low-emitting products and materials, from mattresses to window blinds.
*Green Seal: Green Seal examines products, such as double-hung windows to deck stain, for their environmental impact.
*Forest Stewardship Council: This U.S. branch of the international organization certifies lumberyard wood as being from a sustainable, well-managed source.